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A cut above the rest

28-10-2004   


Hair styles come and go just like the latest fashion trends.  Many hairstyles re appear after being a hit 20 years ago, like the poker straight hairstyle back from the 70’s when women actually ironed their hair with not a kink in sight. 

We have also seen a revival of the ‘shaggy’ look, which was a hit in the 1980’s, giving women the ‘low maintenance’ look even though it would take at least 2 hours to complete. We have had a come back of the short cropped style, favoured by the likes of Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham in the 1990’s, the tight curl, prim and proper look and the Farrah Fawcett flick hair style which was the look of the 70’s when Charlie’s Angels were popular.

Every woman has a ‘hair hero’ of the month, year or century in which they want hair just like them, for example the famous ‘Rachel Do.’  Every woman in the UK raced down to their hair dressers to chop the mop Rachel style (from the popular US comedy ‘Friends’) and it has now become part of hair history. 

And how can we forget the long, dead straight Barbie doll look, favoured by high status celebrities such as JLo, Catherine Zeta Jones and good old Jennifer Aniston, as well as not so high status celebs such as Jennifer Ellison, Jordan and Jodie Marsh. 

Hair straightner sales went through the roof whilst our hair turnt into a sizzling mess, leaving us with split ends and a frizzy mane.

We have had it curly, straight, wavy, long, short and shaved.  Hair styles have even created a name and status like for example the gelled back, in a tight bun look favoured by those likely to be known as ‘pikeys,’ has been given the name ‘Croydon facelift’.  

This is where the hair is pulled so far up against your head, that it creates a face lift effect.  We dye it every colour under the rainbow and style in every position possible.  So, hold on to your hair spray girls, because there is another hairstyle about to embark from its gloomy past, but I have to say I rather like it!

Welcome back the big hair.  I don’t mean big curly hair or fizzy hair, I am talking about in your face, full on bouffant hair (yes bouffant), big enough to blow your socks off…and I’m loving it.

Originating from the 1960’s and onto the catwalks, it seems designers all want their models to be big and bold on the hairstyle front. In the 1960’s, hair was sculpted, sprayed, teased and styled at the salon every week into the helmet of perfectly formed curls, waves and bouffants. 

Wigs and switches of false hair were often used to create the illusion of ‘bigger, better, more’, which is exactly what is appearing on the catwalks and will soon be appearing on your head.  Older women were especially guilty of such crimes against hair, whilst younger girls preferred the relatively hip ‘flip’ which was shoulder length and back combed at the back with flicks at either side. 

The revolutionary of the 1960’s hair was Vidal Sassoon, who in 1963, introduced the geometric, asymmetric, 5 point and most famous of all, the bob cut, but it was the bouffant which proved most popular.  The air of confidence and glamour big hair would give (not to mention the look as though you’ve just put your finger in a plug socket), made it stay ‘hip’ throughout the 60’s until the 70’s.  Favoured by Jackie ‘O’ and Dusty Springfield, who were big personalities at that time, young girls were walking around with half a ton of hair spray in their hair and a huge smile!

With this look taking an hour in front of the mirror every day to perfect, it is hard to see if this hair trend will take off in this ‘wash and go’ attitude we have today.  However, it doesn’t stop you glamming it up for a night out, just you and your bouffant.

I think it’s really glamorous and am contemplating trying it myself next time I go out.  Just take a look at the beautiful Sophie Dahl and fellow models who have opted for the bigger Hollywood glam hair, for inspiration.  If you arent as confident to back comb those locks of yours to the maximum, try curling it a little and pinning it back as you might be surprised at the transformation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be big and bold this winter!

 

 

Kyrsty Hazell




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